The Artificial Beaches of Paris

A section of the pedestrian bank along the river Seine in the centre of Paris, has been designated the "Paris Beach" and has become a summer attraction in the city. Thousands of tons of sand are imported along with full size palm trees, beach chairs and chaise-lounges to create what may be the only artificial "beach" in Europe. It's bizarre, but the French love it.

Initially there was a single beach on the Rive Droite in 2002. In 2006 a second beach was added on the Rive Gauche. The third beach was added this summer on the River Seine. The scheme has proven a major success - the number of visitors has grown each year and topped four million in 2007. Every season, new features are added which include a shuttle ferry linking the two riverbanks, a floating swimming pool, and another beach area at La Villette, in the northeast corner of the city.

6 comments:

"It's bizarre, but the French love it."NO WAY! I'm French and I live in Paris and I absolutely don't love it... They close a very usefull road crossing Paris for 2 monthes to do that, it's a shame and what about kids playing in sand where the dogs and rats piss at night? Don't go there... definitely...

ahahah what a tool ... "they close a very usefull road" like driving your fucking car thru the center of the city is so fucking important, much more than allowing 1000s of people to have a little fun in the summer... Whatever. Tho it's not perfect, the beach is good clean fun and free for everyone, which is not that bad.